Well cementing device



May 24, 1949.

W. S. ALTHOUSE, JR., ET AL WELL CEMENTING DEVICE Original Filed March 16,' 1942 @effe BY @4M Q. ma

Patented May 24,F 1949 WELL CEMENTING DEVICE William S. Althouse, Jr., Alhambra, and Eugene Graham, Jr., Los Angeles, Calif., assignors to Baker Uil Tools, Inc., Vernon, Calif., a corporation of California Original application March 16, 1942, Serial No. 434,912. Divided and this application April 21, 1945, Serial No. 589,509

14 Claims. (Cl. 166-1) The present invention relates to apparatus that is particularly useful in cementing casing in well bores.

This application is a division of our application for Well cementing devices, filed March 16, 1942, Serial No. 434,912, now abandoned.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved cementing apparatus employed in connection with the cementing of casing or other conduits in a well bore, which allows uid to pass through it in a downward direction to a point of discharge in the casing below the appa ratus, and which allows discharge of cement slurry thereafter from the casing above such point while preventing return flow of the cement slurry into the casing.

The invention has other objects which will become apparent from a consideration of the embodiment shown in the drawing accompanying and forming part of the present specification. This embodiment will now be described in detail to illustrate the general principles of the invention, but it is to be understood that such detailed description is not to be taken in a limited sense, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the claims appended hereto.

Referring to the drawing:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal section through an apparatus exemplifying the invention with some of its parts disclosed in one operative position; and

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 with the parts disclosed in another operative position.

The apparatus disclosed in the drawing in cludes a collar IIJ forming part of a casing or similar string by being threaded or otherwise suitably coupled to adjoining casing sections II, I2. A generally tubular body I3 is secured in the collar, as by means of threads I4 on an external body flange I5 screwed into ccoperable threads on the collar positioned belov7 its outlets or ports I6. The upper ported portion I1 of this body is generally cylindrical in shape and is spaced from the inner wall of the collar to form an annular chamber I8, in which a back pressure valve is located for preventing return flow of uids from the exterior of the casing through the collar ports I6 and body ports or outlets I9 to the interior of the casing string. As disclosed in the drawing, such back pressure valve consists of a exible sleeve 2B having one end anchored to the body in any suitable manner, as by clamping it between the upper body portion I'I and a body head 2I threaded thereon. However, it is to be noted that the lower end of this sleeve 2i) of rubber or other suitable elastic material is free to flex outwardly for the purpose of allowing cement slurry or other uids to flow from the interior of the body through its ports I9 and the collar ports or outlets I 6 to the exterior of the casing string. YFor the purpose of preventing leakage of fluids in both directions between the body I3 and collar I0, suitable seals 22 may be provided in the body head 2I for cooperation with the wall of the collar.

The body ports I9 are initially closed by a sleeve valve 23 positioned in the body and held across the ports I9 by frangible means, such as shear screws 24 extending into both the body and sleeve. This sleeve valve 23 has an initially open bore which will permit fluid to pass downwardly through the apparatus for ejection from the casing at a point therebelow. A valve seat 25 is also provided in the sleeve for reception of a bridging ball 26 or similar member adapted to be sent down the casing. When the bridging or tripping ball 2S engages the valve seat 25, the passage through the sleeve is closed, which allows the pressure of the uid column above the sleeve valve 23 to be increased sufciently for the purpose of shearing the screws 274 and moving the bridging ball 2E and sleeve valve 23 downwardly to a position in which the body ports or outlets I9 are open. 'Ihe extent of this downward movement is limited by engagement of the sleeve Valve with an inwardly extending body shoulder 21.

In view of the opening of the body ports I9, and the fact that the bridging ball 26 has now closed the longitudinal passage through the apparatus, the pressure of the uid in the casing string can expand the back pressure valve 2D in an outward direction and permit the fluid to pass through the body ports I9, the annular chamber I8 and collar ports I6 to the exterior of the casing string, from where the fluids pass upwardly through the annulus around the casing toward the surface of the well bore.

By virtue of the apparatus described, it is possible to rst circulate washing or other fluids downwardly through the entire casing string for ejection from its lower end or from a perforated section 28 positioned at a specied distance below the apparatus. After these uids have been properly circulated or disposed around the lower or perforated portion of the casing string, the bridging ball 25 is allowed to gravitate or is otherwise lowered through the fluid in the casing until it reaches its companion seat 25 on the sleeve valve 23. An increase in fluid pressure can then shift the sleeve 23 clear of the body ports I9 into engagement with the stop shoulder 21. Cir-` culation may thereafter be established down through the casing for outward passage through the body and collar ports I9, I6, and for upward movement through the annulus around the casing. If the casing is to be cemented, cement slurry also follows this path of movement, with its return flow into the casing prevented by the back pressure valve 20 covering the body ports I9.

For the purpose of preventing return now of cement slurry or other heavy fluids into the casing around its lower end or perforations positioned below the apparatus, it is preferred to incorporate a downwardly opening back pressure valve in the apparatus. In the present. instance, this back pressure valve consists of a housing 29 formed as a portion of the tubular body I3 depending from the threaded ilange I or shoulder 21. This housing` contains a back pressure ball 30, preferably buoyant in mud or cement slurry, whose downward motion is limited by its engagement with spaced radial stop fingers SI extending inwardly from the housing. These-nngers may be welded to the housing or integrally formed therewith, as desired. The back pressure valve permits downward passage of fluids entirely through the body I3, but prevents return ow of fluids or upward flow of iluids through the apparatus by engaging its cooperable valve seat 32 formed in the housing portion of the body.

The inclusion of the back pressure device t0, 32 for closing the central passage of the apparatus not only prevents upward ow of iluids therethrough, but also acts as a means for enabling the casing string to be :floated into the well. Any tendency for cement slurry deposited in the annulus around the casing adjacent and above the collar II) to move downwardly around the casing stringl and to its interior through casing perforations would be prevented by the back pressure ball 3U, since only slight upward movement of uids in the casing immediately insures the engagement of the ball with. its seat 32 to close the casing against upward flow of fluids, and in so doing also prevent downwardA flow around the casing. y

The parts within the collarv are all preferably made of readily drillable material to allow their easy removal after the cement has set and hardened, and thereby leave an unobstructed bore through the casing.

It is, therefore, apparent that a cementing apparatus has been provided which enables the casing string to be floated into the well, allows circulation to be established below the apparatus for as long as desired, and then permits the placement of cement slurry laterally through the apparatus, while preventing its return flow eitherv through the lateral ports or through the lower portion of the casing string. In this connection, disposition of the back pressure valve in the annular chamber affords it protection while lowering the casing string in the well bore.

We claim:

l. Apparatus of the character described, including a ported tubular member adapted to form part of a casing string, a tubular body having ports within said member and provided with portions contacting the inner wall of said member and a medial portion between said wall contacting portions of.' lesser external diameter than the diameter of the innerl wall of said tubular member to form an annular chamber communieating with said tubular member ports, said medial portion having said body ports therein, valve means within said chamber for preventing return flow of fluids from said chamber through said body ports to `the body interior, means having an initial position preventing passage of fluids through said body ports, said preventing means being slidable along an inner wall of said body, and means for sliding said preventing means within said body and along its inner wall to a position opening said body ports.

2. Apparatus of the character described, including a ported tubular member adapted to form part of a casing string, a tubular body within said member and provided with end portions contacting the inner wall of said member and a ported medial portion of lesser external diameter than the diameter of the inner wall of said tubular member to form an annular chamber communicating with said tubular member ports, valve means within said chamber for preventing return flow oi iluidsfrom said chamber through said body ports to the body interior, means having an initial position preventing passage of fluids through said body ports, said preventing means being slidable along an inner wall of said body, and means for sliding said preventing means within said body and along its inner wall to a position opening said body ports.

3. Apparatus of the character described including a ported tubular member adapted to form part of a casing string, a tubular body having ports within said member and provided with portions contacting the inner wall of said member and a medial portionbetween said wall' contacting portions of lesser externaly diameter than the diameter of the inner wall of said tubular member to form an annular chamber communicating with said tubular member ports, said medial por'- tion having said body ports therein, valve means within said chamber for preventing return flow of fluids from said chamber through said body ports to the body interior, a sleeve valve having an initial position preventing passage of fluids through said body ports, saidl valve being slidable along an inner wallof said body, and means for closing the bore through said sleeve valve to enable its hydraulic shifting along the inner wall of said body to a position permitting passage of uids through said body ports.

4. Apparatus of the character described, including a ported tubular member adapted to form part of a easing string, a tubular body within said member and provided with end portions contacting the inner wall of said member and a ported medial portion of lesser external diameter than the diameter of the inner wall of said tubular member to form an annular chamber conirnunicating with said tubular member ports, valve means within said chamberk for preventing return flow of fluids from said chamber through said body ports to the body interior, a sleeve valve having an initial position preventing passage of iluids through said body ports, said valve being slidable along an inner wall of said body, and means for closing the bore through said sleeve valve to enable its hydraulic shifting along the inner wall of said body to a position permitting passage of fluids through said body ports.

5. Apparatus of the character described including. a ported tubular member adapted to form part of a casing string, a. tubular body hav'- ing ports within said member and provided with portions contacting the inner wall of said member and a medial portion between said` wall contacting portions of lesser external diameter than the diameter of the inner wall of said tubular member to form an annular chamber communieating with said tubular member ports, said medial portion having said body ports therein, valve means within said chamber for preventing return flow of fluids from said chamber through said body ports to the body interior, a sleeve valve within and slidable along the inner wall of said body, frangible means securing said sleeve valve to said body in position to prevent passage of fluid through its ports, and means for closing the bore through said sleeve valve to enable hydraulic disruption of said frangible means and shifting of said sleeve valve along the inner wall of said body to a position permitting passage of fluid through said body ports.

6. Apparatus of the character described, including a ported tubular member adapted to form part of a casing string, a tubular bodiI having ports within said member and provided with portions contacting the inner wall of said member and a medial portion between said wall contacting portions of lesser external diameter than the diameter of the inner wall of said tubular member to form an annular chamber communicating with said tubular member ports, said medial portion having said body ports therein, valve means within said chamber for preventing return ow of fluids from said chamber through said body ports to the body interior, a sleeve valve having an initial position preventing passage of fluids through said body ports, said valve being slidable along an inner wall of said body, means for closing the bore through said sleeve valve to enable its hydraulic shifting along the inner wall of said body to a position permitting passage of fluids through said body ports, and a back-pressure valve for preventing upward passage of fluids through said body comprising a valve seat on said body and a valve member movable upwardly to engage said seat.

7. Apparatus of the character described, including a ported tubular member adapted to form part of a casing string, a tubular body having ports within said member and provided with portions contacting the inner wall of said member and a medial portion between said wall contacting portions of lesser external diameter than the diameter of the inner wall of said tubular member to form an annular chamber communicating with said tubular member ports, said medial portion having said body ports therein, valve means within said chamber for preventing return flow of uids from said chamber through said body ports to the body interior, a sleeve valve having an initial position preventing passage of uids through said body ports, said sleeve valve being slidable along an inner wall of said body, and means adapted to gravitate through the casing string into engagement with said sleeve valve to close the bore through said sleeve valve in order to enable its hydraulic shifting along the inner wall of said body to a position permitting passage of uids through said body ports, said gravity means havingr a maximum diameter substantially less than the inside diameter of said casing string.

9. Apparatus of the character described, including a ported tubular member adapted to form part of a casing string, a tubular body having ports within said member and provided with portions contacting the inner wall of said member and a medial portion between said wall contacting portions of lesser external diameter than the diameter of the inner wall of said tubular member to form an annular chamber communicating with said tubular ports, said medial portion having said body ports therein, valve means within said chamber for preventing return flow of fluids from said chamber through said body ports to the body interior, a sleeve valve within and slidable along the inner wall of said body, frangible means securing said sleeve valve to said body in position to prevent passage of fluids through its ports, and means adapted to gravitate through the casing string into engagement with said sleeve valve to close the bore through said sleeve valve in order to enable hydraulic disruption of said frangible means and shifting of said sleeve valve along the inner wall of said body to a position permitting passage of fluid through said body ports, said gravity means having a maximum diameter substantially less than the inside diameter of said casing string.

9. Apparatus of the character described, including a tubular member having ports and adapted to form part of a casing string, a tubular body having ports, said body being engageable with and positioned within said member and provided with portions contacting the inner wall of said member and a medial portion between said wall contacting portions of lesser external diameter than the diameter of the inner wall of said tubular member to form an annular chamber therewith, said medial portion having said body ports therein, back pressure valve means within said chamber for preventing return flow of uid from said chamber through said body ports to the interior of said body, the interior of said body, body ports, chamber and tubular member ports being communicable with each other to form a passage for the flow of fluid from the interior of said body to the exterior of said tubular member, means having an initial position closing such passage to prevent such flow of fluid therethrough, and means operable hydraulically by the application of pressure to the fluid completely filling said casing thereabove for shifting said preventing means to open said passage and permit ow of fluid from the interior of said body to the exterior of said tubular member.

10. Apparatus of the character described, including an open ended tubular member having ports and adapted to form part of a casing string, a tubular body having ports, said body being positioned within said member and having end portions engageable with said member, said tubular body also having a medial portion of lesser external diameter than the diameter of the inner wall of said tubular member to form an annular chamber therewith, said medial portion having said body ports therein, back pressure valve means within said chamber for preventing return ilow of fluid from said chamber through said body ports to the interior of said body, the interior of said body, body ports, chamber and tubular member ports being adapted to communicate with each other to form a passage for the flow of uid from the interior of said body to the exterior of said tubular member, means having an initial position preventing such ow of uid through such passage, and hydraulically operable means responsive to the application of pressure to the fluid completely filling said casing thereabove for shifting said preventing means to open said passage and permit such ow of fluid from the interior of said body to the exterior of said tubular member.

11. Apparatus of the character described, in-

oludng a tubular member having; ports and, adapted tOi-form partei a casing string', a tnbuf lar body having port.s, said body beine engageable with and positioned Within Said member and provided with portions contacting the inner Wall, Yof said member and a medial portion betvs/.een said wall contacting portions of lesser eXn ternal. diameter than the diameter of the inner walll of saidI tubular member to. formV an annular chamber therewith, said. medial portion having said body ports therein,back pressure valve means within said chamber for preventing return flow of fluid from said chamber through said body ports to the interiorof said body, the interior of Said body, body ports., chamber and tubular member ports being communicable with each other to form a passage for the ow of fluid from the interior of said body to the exterior of said tubular member,l means having an initial position closing such passage to prevent sueh ow of uidV therethrough, and means adapted to gravitate down through the casing string to close the axial passage through said body and enable the pressure of the fluid completely filling the casing therealoove, to shift said preventine means to a position opening. said passage and. permitting flow of fluid from the interior of said body to, the. exterior 0f Said tubular member.

s. ALTHOUSE, JR. EUGENE GRAHAlVIy JR- BEIIQEENQES CITED.

following references are of record in the orf this patent:

UNITED STATES EATENTS 

